The follow up novel to the fun and spunky "Gingerbread" is even better than expected and it succeeds in drawing the reader deeper into the colorful world of teen Cyd Charisse. I would strongly suggest reading the first book to get the full effect of the depth the author has created, after all knowing where Cyd comes from makes her future even more interesting! Cyd is on the lookout for romance, good food and new friends and finding that perfect cup of coffee someone has her obsessed with...Growing up is hard to do, sure, but Cyd finds the express route into the readers hearts without loosing her coolness and charm. She's got opinions, is very much in love with Shrimp who's status was ambiguous as of last novel and is trying to make new friends her age and make amends with her parents. Not to mention her biological father Frank back in New York is trying to make for more time for her as she gets older, her half siblings are entering her life and changing her perspective on the plans she has made with Shrimp. Torn between what she all ready has in San Francisco and the new prospects in the culinary fields in New York City, Cyd must make some brave choices that are tough when you're sixteen and feel torn between being a kid and a young adult.This book was so much fun, I was drawn into it and felt irritated whenever I had to put it down and go do life stuff; like going to work, eating dinner or talking to people...I am all ready holding part three of the series "Cupcake" and can't wait to jump back into the witty, charming, funny and grown up world of Cyd Charisse. I wouldn't say that this is a book for young kids since there is some hardcore romantic stuff going on, few bad words but it's what give his book that real edge, it's not all pink and pretty and fairy tales. Being a teenager is hard but oh so fun to read about!
***WARNING...This may contain spoilers because it is part of a series (and it is kind of hard to discuss this book without referring to the previous novels in the series)***Cyd Charisse is back in San Francisco for her senior year. This time around she is totally looking forward to her partial attendance of school (Sid-Dad hooked her up with a work experience program) and she's also looking forward to getting back together with Shrimp (her true love).Things aren't all that simple for CC because she is a teenager. Her little sister tries to doll nap Gingerbread, Sid-Dad learns about the abortion and is totally disappointed, Mom wants Cyd to go to college, and then...her favorite half-brother breaks up with his "true love."Does true love really exist??? And is Shrimp Cyd's true love???When I first started this book, I really wanted to know how Cyd Charisse's life would continue. And Shrimp was an awesome follow up to Gingerbread. I really liked how Cyd and Nancy came to a better understanding in their relationship. It wasn't perfect, but no mother/daughter relationship is. Also, this time around it was about Cyd and finding friends and not just boyfriends. She gets to learn that there are other relationships to life besides the physical type.Again, Cohn deals with teenager topics that aren't usually in the books they read. Topics include lust, sex, oral sex, and the aftermath of abortion. The main character, Cyd Charisse is not your everyday girl in young adult fiction, but one that is unforgettable in her own ways. This is a great read to those who want to know what happens after Gingerbread and I can't wait to read the third and last book of the series.
What do You think about Shrimp (2006)?
This book was a sequel of sorts to "Gingerbread" which I actually have an amusing story about. I worked at a library for years and was familiar with alot of the books here. We had a teenager come in one day wearing black and white striped tights just like the girl on the cover of "Gingerbread". I immediately ran and found the book and pressed it into the girl's hands to borrow. I didn't see her again, but I like to think she loved the book and related to it specifically. Perhaps I changed her life. I'll never know. I do know that this book "Shrimp" did not change my life. It was at times confusing and I felt overall the the situations were too advanced for the character's ages in the book. Call me old-fashioned or perhaps I was simply very sheltered, but that is my opinion. I won't be reading anything else that continues this story.
—J.Elle
3 1/2 stars. This is the second book in the trilogy about CeeCee. It picks up where the first book left off after she returns to San Francisco to live with her mother, stepfather, and younger half siblings. She resumes her relationship with her artist/surfer boyfriend, Shrimp, and she makes some girl friends for the first time. We get the sense that CeeCee is ready to grow up and become the person we, the readers, know she can be.I enjoyed this book very much and again have to acknowledge the author’s skill in developing her characters.
—Jennifer
Rachel Cohn had me at page 19. That's where she mentioned babies (and may I quote, "apple-cheeked babies so adorable that you just want to pick them up and smother them in kisses") and I just keeled over and fell in love with the whole thing. If that didn't make sense, then you should know that: one of my Achilles' heels are BABIES! I JUST CANNOT RESIST EVEN THE MERE MENTION OF THEM.Okay, that was a bit out-of-the-point. But I love this book, I LOVE how Cohn writes! It's like she has her own vocabulary and syntax rules that are NOT ANNOYING and THAT DO WORK. Not only that, when she means funny, you get FUNNY. When she means sad, you get SAD. When she means lusty, you get LUSTY! Kidding. What I simply mean is that her story's message come across and I appreciate how effective she is as a writer... at least, according to me! HAHAOne more thing, "Shrimp" is bytheway THE sequel to Gingerbread, w/c is the first in the series (duh obviously), BUT it didn't feel like I was missing anything because Cohn inserts flashbacks every now and then... and no worries! They don't mangle the plot AT ALL.
—kb
